Unit Assignments

Unit II Case Study

Introduction:

This unit addresses the role of the technology professional in an organization and how information technology (IT) systems influence organizational strategies. This case study analyzes two retailers' business models and strategies.

Then, it looks at the role that technology and IT personnel play in the assigned business case, and, finally, makes the connection between how IT influences those organizational strategies.

This assignment allows you to recall the learned concepts and shows you how to apply those concepts to show a logical alignment between those requirements learned in this unit and the assignment.

Assignment Instructions:

Analyze the case study titled "Who's the World's Top Retailer? Walmart and Amazon Duke It Out" on pp. 116-118 of your textbook.

For this assignment, you will need to:

1. Analyze the case study comparing Walmart and Amazon's business models and business strategies,

2. Explain the role that information technology plays in each of these businesses and describe the role of the various IT professionals involved in this case,

3. explain how IT helps influence Walmart and Amazon's organizational strategies, and

4. summarize your findings in a two- to three-page paper.

Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit III PowerPoint

IT Support of Business Processes

Introduction:

The main learning outcome of this unit addresses the importance of software, hardware, and telecommunications to a business. This involves the support of current and new, emerging technologies to the business.

The assignment is a good assessment because you have to think of areas of an organization that could benefit by emerging technologies. You will need to research the technology's capabilities and discuss the advantages the technology will offer an organization. This way, you have to be able to assess how technology supports business.

Assignment Instructions:

Imagine that you are an IT manager charged with keeping up with current technology. Create a PowerPoint presentation for the chief information officer that provides an overview of two areas that you want to update based on emerging technologies. Be sure to provide the new technologies' capabilities and the advantages they will bring to the organization.

Be sure to cite all sources used in a reference slide with proper APA formatting. Be sure to provide at least two scholarly sources from the CSU Online Library. Your PowerPoint presentation must contain eight to ten slides; the cover and reference slides do not count in the length requirement.

You may also use the speaker's notes function for the presentation part of your PowerPoint and provide transitions from one slide to the next.

Unit VI Case Study

Introduction:

The main learning outcome for this unit addresses advanced information systems solutions. You need to be able to understand not only the concepts behind implementing an advanced solution like ERP, but also the management and technological factors involved in an implementation, the value added by implementing advanced systems, what prompts the need for an advanced system like an ERP system, and the potential benefits of implementing IS advanced systems such as ERP systems.

This case gives them a successfully implemented case to analyze.

Assignment Instructions:

Review what you have learned about enterprise resource planning (ERP) from the textbook and from the unit's study guide.

Analyze the case study titled "Vodafone: A Giant Global ERP Implementation" on pp. 376-378 in your textbook.

For this assignment, you will need to:

1. analyze and discuss the central issue(s) faced by Vodafone, including the contributing management and technological factors;

2. explain why ERP was a necessary information system solution to address the organization's issues;

3. evaluate the success of Vodafone's implementation plan and provide one suggestion to improve the process;

4. discuss the value the new ERP system brought to Vodafone as a company; and

5. summarize your findings in a two to three page paper.

Unit VII Essay

Introduction:

The learning outcome for this unit involves the process of developing an information system (IS) for an organization. There are many factors involved in this process, including core activities and the methodologies for managing the process.

Project management plays a part as well. Additionally, IS development does not happen in a silo; there is also the business side to consider as part of the process. All of these considerations are brought together and addressed in this assignment.

Assignment Instructions:

For this assignment, you will need to access the CSU Online Library to research two articles concerning information systems development and project management. Drawing on these two articles, your textbook, and other sources, write an essay that addresses the following:

1. Provide a well-formulated thesis statement in your introduction paragraph.

2. Explain how a business user could be involved in the core activities of building an information system.

3. Analyze how software development methodologies (such as agile development) can work in tandem with project
management for the benefit of both information systems development projects and organizations.

4. Evaluate how project managers and/or IT managers can ensure that information system development projects are
in alignment with business strategies and goals.

5. Summarize your findings in a five-page paper using proper APA formatting.

Your response must be at least five pages in length, not including the title and references pages, and in APA format. You are required to use the two outside articles.

All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying APA citations.